Wane: Reserves league will help Wigan youngsters

Shaun Wane thinks that he will hand first-team debuts to at least three Wigan youngsters in 2016.

Nick Gregson, Jake Shorrocks, Joe Bretherton, Jack Higginson, Gabriel Fell and Luke Waterworth have all been handed squad numbers by Wane for next season, but are yet to debut in first-team colours.

With the possibility a reserve grade competition looking increasingly likely, Wane is optimistic that the young players can make significant progress in 2016.

“Potentially we’ve got this new comp’ so we can keep our eye on them, it’ll be easier for us,” he told Wigan Today.

“I’m very happy with the young kids who’ve come into the first-team and I can see three of them making a debut this season.

“They’ve settled in well, they’ve all got good attitudes and I’m happy with where they are at.”